First Look: Petco opens new, experiential Reddy store concept in NYC

CSA

Petco Health and Wellness Company has debuted its first-ever store devoted to a single exclusive brand — and to one animal. . . . more

Psycho Bunny makes Mall of America debut

CSA

A menswear brand whose logo is an irreverent bunny and crossbones continues to expand its national footprint. . . . more

Giant Food tests Flashfood food waste reduction app

Supermarket News

Ahold Delhaize USA’s Giant Food has kicked off a three-store pilot of the Flashfood, an app-based digital marketplace that gives shoppers access to savings on foods approaching their expiration date. . . . more

Dollar Tree expands same-day delivery with Instacart

Supermarket News

Online grocery giant Instacart continues to expand its retail reach with a new expanded partnership with Dollar Tree Inc. to offer same-day delivery in as fast as one hour from nearly 7,000 Dollar Tree stores. . . . more

Apple sounds a $6 billion holiday season warning

CNN Business
What will dominate this holiday shopping season: Huge demand, as shoppers use pent-up savings to splurge, or supply chain problems leading to empty shelves and presents on back order? . . . more

Starbucks raising wages to as high as $23 per hour; adding recruiters

CSA

Starbucks is raising pay for U.S. employees as the company deals with a labor shortage and a union challenge. . . . more

Yum Brands starts opening units again

Restaurant Business

Yum Brands' roster of fast-food concepts opened more locations around the globe in the third quarter as international sales picked up and their U.S. sales remained strong. . . . more

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes Signs a Deal Every 2.5 Days in Q3 With Commitments for 22 Restaurants

RestaurantNews.com
People are flipping for MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes, the franchise that served up deals for 22 new restaurants in Q3 – a deal every 2.5 days. . . . more

McDonald's gets a big boost from higher prices, celebrities and chicken

CNN Business
Higher menu prices, celebrity meals and chicken sandwiches helped boost McDonald's sales in the third quarter. . . . more

Price hikes expected to propel grocery sales growth

Supermarket News

Amid supply chain snags and surging costs, grocery manufacturers and retailers expect price increases to spur dollar sales growth heading into next year, new research from Advantage Sales shows. . . . more

Target adds new features to same-day services

Retail Dive

Target has added new features to its same-day services (Order Pickup, Drive Up and Same-Day Delivery with Shipt) to make consumers' shopping trips run smoother and faster this holiday. . . . more

Hasbro hit by supply chain woes as $100M in orders go unfilled

Retail Dive

Hasbro logged $100 million worth of orders that went unfilled during its third quarter due to shipping supply chain disruptions, including capacity shortages and port congestion. . . . more

JC Penney names CEO, chairman

CSA

A former executive of Levi Strauss & Co. and Walmart has been named chief executive of J.C. Penney. . . . more

BJ’s plans early Black Friday, new hires

CSA

BJ’s holiday plans include starting Black Friday early, shuttering stores Thanksgiving Day and adding new seasonal and permanent employees. . . . more

BJ’s taps H-E-B exec Rachael Vegas as chief merchant

Supermarket News

Former H-E-B and Target executive Rachael Vegas has joined BJ’s Wholesale Club as executive vice president and chief merchandising officer. . . . more

Maine's Second Chick-Fil-A Sets Opening Date

Seacoast Current
It has been teased since May of 2020 that the fast-food restaurant with a cow mascot who encourages people to "Eat Mor Chikin", Chick-fil-A, will be opening Maine's second location at Rock Row in Westbrook. The first location is in Bangor and has been in operation since fall of 2016. . . . more

Salad chain Sweetgreen files to go public, hopes to double footprint within 5 years

CNBC Business

Salad chain Sweetgreen filed Monday to go public on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker SG, aiming to become the latest restaurant company to hit the public markets this year. . . . more

CVS, Walgreens offering COVID-19 booster shots to Moderna, J&J recipients

Fox Business

CVS and Walgreens pharmacies around the nation are offering more COVID-19 boosters to eligible patients after U.S. regulators signed off on extending the shots to Americans who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine. . . . more

Labor shortage squeezes Popeyes' late night business

Restaurant Dive
Popeyes' year-over-year Q3 2021 U.S. comparable sales fell by 4.5%, a drop driven primarily by traffic declines as ongoing labor challenges led to a reduction in service and operating hours. Late night hours were particularly challenged by the labor crunch, Restaurant Brands International CEO José Cil said on Monday during the company's Q3 2021 earnings call. . . . more

Crocs posts blazing growth even amid supply chain struggles

Retail Dive
Crocs beat expectations once again, with third-quarter revenue growing 73% year over year to $626 million. Digital sales were up nearly 69% and accounted for 36.8% of all revenue. . . . more

New Jersey’s largest mall adds three new names to its restaurant list

CSA

Season’s 52, Eddie V’s, and Fogo de Chao will soon become part of Garden State Plaza’s menu of 30-plus restaurants. . . . more

Panera aims to be carbon negative by 2050

Restaurant Dive
Panera has announced its intention to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits by 2050, alongside several intermediate goals for 2025, in a press release Wednesday. . . more

12-foot skeletons, pet costumes and vaccines: Retailers get ready for a weird Halloween

Retail Dive

Like much else in life, Halloween has been changed — maybe forever — by the pandemic. . . . more

Placer.ai’s data-driven expectations for Holiday 2021

CSA

According to Placer.ai, both indoor and outdoor malls saw traffic rebound to pre-pandemic levels during the summer. Tourists returned to New York City in August at levels 2% higher than August 2019. . . . more

Lowe’s kicks off holiday promotion; to close stores on Thanksgiving

CSA
Lowe's is ready for holiday shoppers, both online and in-store. . . more

Who Is Buying CBD and Why?

CStore Decisions

A lot of Americans still aren’t sure exactly what CBD is or what it can do for them. Worse, a lot of convenience store operators still aren’t sure who their CBD customers are – the very first thing they need to know in order to capitalize on the trend. . . . more

Over 70% of retail sales will come from stores in the next few years: Forrester

Retail Dive
While the pandemic is widely seen as boosting e-commerce sales, it may be more accurate to say that consumers have become more "digitally savvy," according to a new report from Forrester. . . . more

Is Best Buy undermining its storybook turnaround?

Retail Dive

Even Hubert Joly's friends thought he was nuts when he took over as CEO of Best Buy in 2012. . . . more

Lululemon in new initiative to advance mental health

CSA

Lululemon Athletica Inc. is diving deeper into physical and mental wellness as it works to remove inequity in wellbeing through movement, mindfulness and advocacy. . . . more

Target doubling the number of in-store Apple shops

CSA

Target Corp. is doubling down on Apple. . . . more

Ulta to open 50 stores annually; promises faster delivery, invests in AI company

CSA

Ulta Beauty laid out its strategic priorities and long-term financial targets for fiscal 2022 through 2024 at its virtual analyst and investor conference on Tuesday. . . . more

Albertsons sees second-quarter rebound

Supermarket News

Albertsons Cos. topped the high end of Wall Street’s earnings forecast for its fiscal 2021 second quarter as net and identical sales surpassed last year’s pandemic-driven gains. . . . more

How traditional teen apparel brands went out of style

Retail Dive

There came a time when teens clad in low-rise jeans and T-shirts with giant logos from the likes of Express, Gap and Abercrombie & Fitch filled every high school classroom in America. . . . more

10 of The Most Underrated Restaurants in Maine

Seacoast Current
Maine is growing as a food destination. There are a few with names that everyone recognizes and will travel for miles to dine at. . . . more

Business leaders expect supply chain turmoil to last well into 2022

CNN Business
The ongoing supply chain crisis isn't going to end anytime soon, according to a new survey of chief financial officers. . . . more

Macy's teams up with Fanatics

Retail Dive
Macy's announced that it has entered into "an exclusive long-term partnership" with Fanatics that will broaden the company's assortment of fan gear online and through its app, according to a company announcement sent to Retail Dive. . . . more

Major mall owner introduces a digital short-term leasing program

CSA

One of the biggest victims of COVID-19 was the 10-year lease, long a standard at enclosed malls. Now one of the biggest mall owners in the United States, Macerich, is introducing QuikSpace, a digital platform that puts booking retail space on a par with reserving a hotel room. . . . more

Best Buy Announces Its Black Friday Plans for 2021

IGN
The official date of Black Friday 2021 is November 26, but the official start of Black Friday is much tougher to pin down. . . . more

Cambridge Bakery Makes List Of Top 50 Restaurants In America

Patch
Based on flavor, vibrance, and a ranking to reflect the rich mosaic of American dining, the New York Times has named one Cambridge restaurant in the top 50 places to eat across the country. . . . more

McDonald’s to test McPlant burger created with Beyond Meat in eight U.S. restaurants next month

CNBC

McDonald’s will test the plant-based McPlant burger created as part of its partnership with Beyond Meat in eight U.S. restaurants next month. . . . more

Walgreens CEO Roz Brewer: Tobacco sales under ‘real scrutiny’ as drugstore chain steps up health-care focus

CNBC 
Walgreens Boots Alliance CEO Roz Brewer said the drugstore is taking a hard look at whether it will continue to sell cigarettes and tobacco products as it steps up its focus on health care. . . . more

Walgreens posts higher profit as COVID-19 vaccinations continue to lift sales

Fox Business
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. said its profit rose for the recent quarter, with its role in administering COVID-19 vaccines continuing to help lift sales. . . . more

This world-famous restaurant ditched meat, but it's still charging $335 a person. Will people pay?

CNN Business
There was a moment last year, as Covid-19 brought the entire planet to a standstill, when the chef and owner of one of the world's most renowned and expensive restaurants thought he might lose everything. . . . more

Target keeps inventory moving in face of supply chain congestion

CSA

As retailers grapple with supply chain problems, Target is confident its proactive investments in fulfillment technology, distribution hubs and 24/7 supply chain operations are paying off as the holiday season approaches. . . . more

Stores are preparing for a blowout Halloween

CNN Business
Last year, Halloween entailed homemade candy chutes — pipes that allowed people to send candy down to costumed children without getting too close — and pre-packaged goody bags left on stoops, curbs and outdoor tables. . . . more

Nordstrom Looks to Hire 28,600 Seasonal and Regular Workers Ahead of the Holidays

Footwear News
Nordstrom, like other major retailers, is stepping up its hiring goals ahead of the holidays. . . . more

Ahold Delhaize hits 2021 target in shift to U.S. self-distribution

Supermarket News

Ahold Delhaize USA has transitioned The Giant Company’s Carlisle, Pa., distribution center into its self-distributed network, raising self-managed center-store volume to 65%, its goal for this year. . . . more

Stop & Shop kicks off Express delivery

Supermarket News

In partnership with Instacart, Stop & Shop has launched Stop & Shop Express, an online shopping service providing delivery of groceries, convenience products and household essentials in as soon as 30 minutes. . . . more

Remember when Macy's was the one removing department store names?

Retail Dive

It's quite possible that on Thanksgiving Day, during what's known in New York City as the "Macy's Day Parade," instead of the usual red, star-blazoned Macy's sign, a big "Amazon" billboard will feature prominently as the balloons and festive floats glide by. . . . more

Survey: Holiday in-store shoppers want extended hours, occupancy limits

CSA

A new survey confirms that holiday shopping will start early this year and that more of it will involve the physical store. It also reveals how retailers can make in-store shoppers feel more comfortable. . . . more

Best Buy to acquire Current Health as it dives deeper into home health care

CSA

Best Buy is betting that a good deal of health care in the future will be based in the home. . . . more

Office Depot, OfficeMax launch 20-minute pickup guarantee

Retail Dive

As retailers prepare for the forthcoming holiday season, Office Depot and OfficeMax have launched a "20 Minute Pickup Promise," an in store and curbside pickup service and guarantee at stores nationwide, the retailer announced on Wednesday. . . . more

Simon malls to close on Thanksgiving

Retail Dive

Simon Property Group on Thursday joined several retailers in shutting down on Thanksgiving Day. . . . more

7 experiential store concepts that opened this year

Retail Dive

As in past years, testing store concepts has been top of mind for retailers in 2021, as the industry moved past the mass closures and severely dampened traffic of 2020. . . . more

Kroger plans Northeast entry with next-gen fulfillment centers

CSA

America’s largest grocer is entering a new market and expanding its customer fulfillment centers (CFCs) and rapid online delivery program. . . . more

Scotch & Soda ramping up store expansion

CSA

Scotch & Soda is looking to grow its global presence. . . . more

Walmart in exclusive merchandise deal with Netflix

CSA

In time for holiday shopping, consumers can buy merchandise tied into “Stranger Things” and other popular Netflix shows on Walmart’s website. . . . more

Smaller Products, Rising Prices: Shrinkflation Hitting Grocery Store Shelves

CBS Minnesota
Shrinking products and rising prices. From cereal to soap, paper towels to pretzels, you might have noticed you’re not getting as much as you used to at the grocery store. . . . more

Pret A Manger debuts coffee subscription plans

NRN

Pret A Manger USA has launched a new Pret Coffee Subscription in New York City and Washington, D.C., the company said Thursday. . . . more

Burger King tests new plant-based Impossible Nuggets in three markets

NRN
Burger King is reportedly testing the new Impossible Foods nuggets in several markets, following the success of the plant-based Whopper. . . . more

Supply crisis drives Walmart and rivals to hire their own ships

Fox Business
The Flying Buttress once glided across the oceans carrying vital commodities like grain to all corners of the world. . . . more

Another disappointment: US economy adds only 194,000 jobs in September

CNN Business
America's economic recovery has hit a roadblock: US employers added only 194,000 jobs in September, another troubling sign that Covid is disrupting the economy. . . . more

7 mall stores you forgot about

Retail Dive

Why is it so much fun to discuss old retailers? And why do malls sometimes stoke feelings of nostalgia?  . . . more

Office return delays take big toll on Midtown Manhattan retail

CSA

The delayed return to offices due to the spread of the Delta variant has been a blow to the retail recovery in Manhattan. . . . more

Walmart to provide same-day delivery — for Home Depot customers

CSA

Walmart is kicking off its new delivery business with an impressive first client. . . . more

How America ruined Christmas

CNN Business
The supply chain nightmare that's been plaguing the global economy for over a year is about to snarl the holiday shopping season. . . . more

NRA: 78% of operators report decline in dine-in business

Restaurant Dive
Seventy-eight percent of restaurant operators report a decline in customer demand for indoor dining in recent weeks due to the rise of delta variant coronavirus cases, according to a survey by the National Restaurant Association Research Group of 4,000 operators. . . . more

As it opens more brick-and-mortar stores, Ross hires new CFO

Retail Dive

Adam Orvos, group senior vice president of supply chain administration at Ross Stores, has been promoted to Chief Financial Ofifcer, the retailer announced Wednesday. . . . more

Pre-bankruptcy payouts under fire from government watchdog

Retail Dive

Companies paid some $165 million in retention bonuses to executives in advance of Chapter 11 bankruptcies in 2020, according to an investigation by the Government Accountability Office. . . . more

Why retail bankruptcies have stopped dead — for now

Retail Dive

To appreciate the turnaround the entire retail industry has made over the past year, consider the months of July and August. . . . more

High-tech mini-golf/dining concept Puttshack in U.S. expansion

CSA

An entertainment experience that combines tech-infused mini-golf with food and drink and whose creators include the co-founders of Topgolf is set to open its second U.S. location. . . . more

U.S. convenience store sales in 2021 could top pre-pandemic levels

CSA

Convenience store retailers are bullish about their sales for 2021 but concerns persist. . . . more

Floral departments stem the tide of COVID's sales impact

Supermarket News

It’s no secret that supermarket floral departments struggled during the pandemic as many events were canceled, online shopping became the norm and those who did shop in person rushed to get in and out of stores quickly, not thinking about bringing home some bouquets—even though some beautiful flowers could have helped bring some happiness during the somber time. . . . more

Seacoast Liquor Stores See Big Sales Increase In New Hampshire

Seacoast Current

Thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, Seacoast liquor sales in New Hampshire are up by more than $10 million over the past year. . . . more

Facing traffic declines, Bed Bath & Beyond swings to a loss

Retail Dive

Facing foot traffic declines to stores, Bed Bath & Beyond on Thursday reported net sales in the second quarter fell 26% year over year to $2 billion, while comparable sales decreased 1%. . . . more

Claire's files for IPO 3 years after bankruptcy

Retail Dive

Teen retailer Claire's has filed for an initial public offering just shy of three years after it emerged from a Chapter 11 reorganization. . . . more

California Pizza Kitchen completes debt refinancing transaction

NRN
California Pizza Kitchen (“CPK”) today announced that it has successfully completed a debt refinancing with a new $195mm Senior Secured Credit Facility with Canyon Partners (“Canyon”) and Rabobank, resulting in a significant reduction in interest expense and reduced leverage. . . . more

Fat Brands completes $300 million acquisition of Twin Peaks—its second major purchase this year

NRN

Fat Brands announced the completion of the $300 million acquisition of casual-dining ‘breastaurant’ sports bar brand Twin Peaks on Friday after initially agreeing to the purchase in September. . . . more

How Jersey Mike’s plans to open over 500 locations in 2 years

NRN

Much of the restaurant industry is still in recovery mode following the pandemic, with brands licking their wounds and establishing new systems and tools that help position them for the consumer demands of the future. . . . more

Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy Stepping Aside in November

QSR

Chick-fil-A CEO Dan T. Cathy will step down on November 1, ending an eight-year run that saw the chicken chain grow into a more than 2,600-unit empire. . . . more

4 Ways to Get More Out of Your Drive Thru

QSR

Prior to the pandemic, most quick-service brands achieved about 70 percent of sales at the drive-thru window, but the number climbed to north of 90 percent for parts of 2020. . . . more

A&W Restaurants Named One of the 17 Best Restaurant Franchising Deals by QSR Magazine

RestuarantNews.com
A&W Restaurants, the 500-plus unit classic American restaurant franchise, has been recognized by QSR Magazine as one of the country’s top 17 deals in restaurant franchising. . . . more

Bed Bath & Beyond sales plunge on August traffic drop-off, supply chain issues

CSA

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. swung to a second-quarter loss and reported profit and sales that missed expectations. The chain slashed its revenue and earnings outlook for the year. . . . more

First Look: J.C. Penney in beauty makeover

CSA

J.C. Penney is giving a sneak peek of its new beauty offering. . . . more

Neiman Marcus says 4.6 million customers affected by security breach

CSA

A leading luxury retailer has notified law enforcement that information from over 4 million customers’ online accounts was exposed in a cybersecurity incident. . . . more

Whole Foods Market CEO John Mackey to retire in 2022; successor named

CSA

The co-founder and CEO Of Whole Foods Market is going to retire after four decades with the company. . . . more